Agri-Food

Durham Region's agricultural sector is one of the largest primary goods-producing sectors in the region.

There are a variety of crops produced in Durham Region that meet the demand of our growing population. Our livestock breeders are world renowned for their quality genetics.

New approaches to agriculture such as vertical farming are becoming more popular and a necessary for a sustainable environment. Agriculture production has grown from traditional commodity crops to new biomass crops for the next generation of energy, biofuels and biogas. Producers have also diversified into related processing, retail, agri-tourism and urban agriculture options.

Food processing continues to expand in the region due to its proximity to market; safe, high-quality food inputs; and complementary industry clusters. Food producers also benefit from manufacturing benefits and federal and provincial incentives.

Production includes: beef cattle; dairy cattle; hog and pig; poultry and egg; sheep and goat; oilseed and grain; vegetable and fruit; and greenhouse, nursery and floriculture.

Durham is home to the Apple Capital of Canada; Newcastle, and has a strong local food movement.

Stay up to date on the Region's agri-food industry by signing up for our Agri-Food E-News.

View the Durham Region Agricultural Profile (PDF)

Agriculture strategies and action plans

Agri-business videos

Explore careers in Agri-business with our video series.
Follow the journey of an apple from farm to table with our Apple Value Chain video series.

Support networks and services

The Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee advises Regional Council of agricultural and rural matters.
Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association brings together farmers, livestock producers, chefs and farm organizations that care about locally produced food.
Durham Farm Connections works to enhance the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of agriculture and the agri-food industry in Durham Region.
Durham Farm and Rural Family Resources provide quality and flexible Child Care and Early Years Division (CCEYD) and programs to farm and rural families in Durham Region.
The Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance is made up of municipalities, governments, organizations, and local representatives from the food and farming value chain.

Agri-business education programs

Ontario Tech University (ONTechU) offers a number of programs that support this sector:

Durham College provides diploma programs that directly support the agri-business sector:

Agri-food asset mapping

Durham Region is currently partnering with municipalities, cities and regions in the Golden Horseshoe, Greater Golden Horseshoe, and eastern Ontario in developing an asset map for the agri-food sector.

The information will provide market intelligence to guide investment, identify trends and emerging opportunities. It will also help retain and expand existing markets, create more business to business connections, understand the impact of investment on a regional basis, provide decision makers with meaningful information on their sectors, and strengthen collaboration and communication across the regional system. as the asset map will also support other municipal priorities such as planning, food charter initiatives, and emergency response measures.